Myth

Fact

Kids can develop a mental illness, like depression and anxiety disorders. This can happen to anyone at any age.

Myth

Kids only get a mental illness because they have bad parents.

Fact

Mental illness is not caused by doing something wrong. Also, you can’t cause someone else to have a mental illness. Doctors think that mental illness is caused by a mix of what’s going on in your body and what’s happening around you.

Myth

Mental illness is the same as being mentally disabled (sometimes incorrectly called mental retardation).

Fact

Mental illness has nothing to do with how smart you are. A mental disability is a cognitive disability which means it’s a different journey with different challenges. It’s still important to treat all people with respect, because you don’t know what life is like in their shoes.

Myth

Having a mental illness means you’re a wimp who can’t handle life.

Fact

Your personality or ability to handle your feelings does not cause mental illness. Mental illness isn’t just “in your head” or something that goes away if you try hard. The right combination of what helps is different for each person. Once they find something that helps them, most people with a mental illness live healthy, full lives.

Myth

People with mental health challenges have to take special tests to get a job or go to college.

Fact

People with mental health challenges do not have to take special tests to get into college, get a house, or get a job. They can work and learn and do all the things that people without mental health challenges can do.

Myth

People with mental illnesses have trouble handling school work, a job, and daily tasks.

Fact

It is common for all people to sometimes have trouble at school, at home, at jobs and feel sometimes like they don’t know what to do. No matter what, it’s good to talk to others and learn what works best for you. What helps you calm down? What makes you happy and what makes you sad? Knowing these things will help you find a way to do well in school and life.

Myth

If you have a mental illness, it will be harder to get an apartment or house once you grow up and you won’t be able to live on your own.

Fact

All mental illnesses are different, but being diagnosed with one will not keep you from being able to grow up, learn how to take care of yourself, and get an apartment or house like everyone else.

Myth

When people have mental illnesses, they will never get better.

Fact

People diagnosed with mental illnesses can get better. Every illness is different. Some people feel better when they talk to someone, like a friend or a doctor, or take medication. Most people need help from friends and family to talk and figure out how to live with their illness. Not all people have to take medicine or see a therapist for the rest of their lives.

Myth

Talking about your mental health challenge is a waste of time. It’s better to just take medicine.

Fact

If you have a broken leg, it will not get better with just aspirin. It also takes time and exercise and hard work. In a way, having a mental illness is the same. You have to be patient, get help, and talk about it – and you’ll start to feel better, too.

Myth

People with a mental illness are dangerous and violent.

Fact

Most people diagnosed with mental illnesses are not violent. Most violence in the world is not caused by people with mental illnesses. In fact, a person with a mental illness is more likely to be the one who gets hurt or bullied by someone else.

Myth

Mental illness is more common in some racial groups than others.

Fact

Mental illness can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter what you look like, where you live or where you are from.

Myth

I can’t help someone with a mental illness. Only a doctor can.

Fact

You can help people who have a mental illness. Don’t call people words like “crazy” or “mental.” If you know people with mental health challenges, try to get to know them and notice their talents and skills, not just their illness. Learn about mental wellness and share it with others. If you hear something that isn’t true, don’t be afraid to speak up and talk about what is true.

This program is funded by counties through the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63). It is one of several Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives implemented by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of California counties working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. CalMHSA encourages the use of materials contained herein, as they are explained in our licensing agreements. To view the agreements, please visit: http://calmhsa.org/documents/additional-resources